In Barcelona’s Old Town, there is the large Citadel Park. It was established in the mid-19th century, in place of a former fortress after which it was named. For a long time, Citadel Park remained the only natural oasis in the city. Since then, it has changed dramatically and become a wonderful place to relax, beloved by locals and tourists.
In 1888, Barcelona held the Universal Exposition for the first time. The Citadel Park, which had to undergo one of the most significant and ambitious renovations in its history before the important event, was chosen as the main stage for the Exhibition. A triumphal arch was installed: it served as a grand entrance for the guests of the Exhibition. Today, it continues to solemnly greet the guests of the Park. The Castle of the Three Dragons was established too. Initially, it was designed as a restaurant, but today it’s used as a Zoology museum. A greenhouse deserves to be noted among other constructions that were created for the Universal Exposition: today it's occupied by a cultural centre and a palm tree orangery.
The monumental Cascada fountain built in the 1880s is the main decoration of Citadel Park. It was primarily designed by Josep Fontsere. Furthermore, sculptors Rossend Nobas and Venanci Vallmitjana, and young Antonio Gaudi took part in its creation. The majestic arch and a Venus statue next to it serve as the backdrop for the fountain. The goddess is guarded by four gryphons with water pouring out of their maws.
The statue of Venus that crowns the fountain is far from being the only monument on the grounds of Citadel Park. Locals often call it an open-air sculpture museum, and for a good reason. Walking along the park’s paths, you will find many other magnificent monuments dedicated to historical figures, events and phenomenons.